Quinidex (Quinidine) Drug Overview of Drug Interactions and Missed Dose for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Atrial Fibrillation »

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common, abnormal rhythm of the heart.

The heart contracts (beats) and pumps blood with a regular rhythm, for example, at a rate of 60 beats per minute there is a beat every second. The heart may beat faster or slower with a shorter or longer interval between beats, but at any one rate the interval between beats is constant. This regular rhythm occurs as a result of regular electrical discharges (currents) that travel through the heart and cause the muscle of the heart to contract. In atrial fibrillation, the electrical discharges are irregular and rapid and, as a result, the heart beats irregularly and, usually, rapidly.

Atrial fibrillation is common; half a million new cases are diagnosed yearly in the U.S., and billions of dollars are spent annually on its diagnosis and treatment.

What causes atrial fibrillation?

Normal function of the he...

Read the Atrial Fibrillation article »

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Quinidex Consumer (continued)

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. See also How to Use section.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole), propafenone, cisapride, arbutamine, mefloquine.

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting quinidine.

Many drugs besides quinidine may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation), including amiodarone, dofetilide, pimozide, procainamide, sotalol, macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), ziprasidone, mesoridazine, thioridazine, among others. Therefore, before using quinidine, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: large amounts of antacids (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), carbamazepine, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), phenytoin, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide), aripiprazole, atomoxetine, codeine, hydrocodone, loperamide, medication for high blood pressure (e.g., nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem), certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), quinupristin/dalfopristin, etravirine, amprenavir/fosamprenavir.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness/fainting, hallucinations, seizures.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood count, liver/kidney function tests, quinidine blood levels, EKG) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).